Remembering Albert Rees

Albert Rees was a member of the technical and research support staff throughout a long career in Dean Street. Emeritus Professor Martin Taylor worked closely with Albert for many decades starting in 1966-67 when he was an undergraduate student and Albert was the technician overseeing one of the honours project labs in the original Department of Electronics building. That year he helped Martin fabricate a working MOS transistor – all done without a clean room! During the next few years, when the department expanded and added a Cambridge Scanning Electron Microscope and a JEOL Microprobe Analyser to an existing Transmission Electron Microscope, Albert oversaw these instruments, providing not only research support but also training research staff and students to use what at that time were leading edge instruments. Fairly soon after installation, the equipment was the focal point of a visit to the department by the then Duke of Edinburgh. 

As Atomic Force Microscopes and Raman Microscopes became available, Albert’s ‘domain’ and expertise extended to these new analytical instruments. Over his many decades in post, Albert collaborated and supported the research of many members of academic staff and even more undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as postdocs and visiting researchers. 

As a person, Albert was a pleasure to work with. Always cheerful and supportive. As a member of both a brass and a jazz band he was a great addition to the entertainment in the days when Christmas parties were held in the Student Common Room, especially when he brought along his trombone and jazz repertoire. Albert was also an excellent photographer and when the department’s dedicated photography technician retired, Albert took on those duties as well. In this role he photographed many generations of students whose faces are recorded for posterity in the department’s files. 

Public service at Bangor Crematorium on Friday, March 31 at 11.00am.